College of Human Ecology

School of Social Work

Shelia Grant Bunch, Director, School of Social Work Office, 224 Rivers BuildingMonte Miller, Bachelor of Social Work Program Coordinator, 202 Rivers Building

The School of Social Work offers the bachelor of social work and the master of social work degrees. (See also graduate catalog.)

Social work is a helping profession which focuses on providing skilled intervention in the prevention and amelioration of individual and societal problems. It is a challenging and rewarding career involving the application of knowledge, skills, and professional values to assist individuals, families, groups, and communities in reaching their full potential. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The principal educational objective of the major in social work is to prepare students for beginning professional generalist social work practice from a strengths based perspective. To prepare for this level of practice, students will learn the history and current development of social welfare programs; methods of influencing social change; professional values and ethics; the particular needs of oppressed populations; theories of human behavior; family, group, community and organizational functioning, an appreciation of research and methods of practice evaluation; and skills for practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. The degree provides graduates a competitive advantage in many human services jobs and the possibility of up to one year’s credit in some master’s degree programs in social work (commonly referred to as advanced standing).

All majors are required to complete a field education internship of 12 s.h. in one semester in an approved agency. Agencies serving as field placements include North Carolina county departments of social services, behavioral health agencies, public health centers, state hospitals for individuals living with mental illness, centers for individuals living with mental retardation, alcoholic rehabilitation centers, public schools, state judicial and correctional systems, hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health and hospice, community based organizations, and long-term care facilities.

Admission to the BSW program is made during the fall semester. Students should submit an application to the program during the spring and summer. A student is eligible to apply for admission to the BSW degree program when the following required conditions are met: completion of a minimum of 32 s.h.; an overall 2.5 GPA; and completion of SOCW 1010, 2010 with a 2.5 GPA in these courses. Students not meeting the required GPA may apply for provisional acceptance to the major. The BSW Admissions Committee will review provisional admissions and submit recommendations to the program coordinator. Students who plan to transfer from a junior or community college are encouraged to take a four-year college preparatory curriculum that includes human biology. The social work program will not accept for required major credit upper-level courses (numbered 3000 and 4000 at East Carolina University) taken at a junior or community college. The BSW program chairperson will determine the applicability of upper-level courses taken at senior colleges in meeting the BSW degree requirements. The School does not approve academic credit for prior work or life experience.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Social work majors must pass all required social work courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0). Minimum degree requirement is 124 s.h. of credit as follows:

Students may submit a written request for the consideration of a cognate substitution to the program coordinator.

General electives: Students will be encouraged to choose electives which will strengthen their total program.

Additional Opportunities

The social work major deciding to seek certification as a school social worker must be accepted into the upper division of teacher education. This should be done during the sophomore year and prior to or at the point the student is accepted as a social work major. The College of Education and the School of Social Work will maintain a record to help track the student’s completion of certification requirements. Upon completion of appropriate social work courses and education courses, the School of Social Work and the College of Education will recommend certification to the State Department of Public Instruction.